The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee on Courts is holding its first meeting on the George Halcovage Jr. matter.

The committee will meet 10 a.m. Jan. 11 in room 140 at the Capitol to start the investigation into the possible impeachment of Schuylkill County Commissioner Halcovage.

“The allegations against Mr. Halcovage are serious enough to warrant further investigation. Because he is an elected official, the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Courts will conduct an in-depth and thorough investigation of Mr. Halcovage to determine if he is liable for impeachment, Rep. Paul Schemel, R-Franklin, said.

Schemel said, “It will probably be a quick meeting.” A vote among the five members will likely occur to take sworn testimony and subpoenas and authorize a lawyer. He said subpoenas for documents will then occur.

This is only the second time the committee has met in four or five years, Schemel said. The last time being for the possible impeachment of a Lancaster County sheriff who resigned.

“It is a solemn responsibility of the subcommittee to review the underlying circumstances before a potential impeachment and prepare a report for the Legislature with recommendations. The subcommittee takes this task very seriously and recognizes that impeachment would result in the removal of an individual elected by the people of Schuylkill County,” Schemel said.

If the Subcommittee on Courts finds Halcovage engaged in “impeachable” conduct, it can approve articles of impeachment.

If approved by the House, the Senate would conduct a trial. Upon voting of two-thirds of the senators for impeachment, Halcovage would be removed from office.

The full House voted 200-0 in November for Resolution 99 that empowers the investigation to determine if Halcovage should be impeached or if removal from office is warranted “due to alleged misbehavior in office and violation of public trust.”

Halcovage has been sued in federal court by four women, all Schuylkill County employees who have accused him of sexual harassment. He denies the accusations. An amended complaint was also recently filed that lists employment actions that took place after the first lawsuit.

Numerous county and state leaders have called for Halcovage to resign. The county’s solicitor’s office and Human Resources office investigated and determined that Halcovage violated three county policies, sexual harassment, conduct and discipline and physical and verbal abuse. The investigation determined that if he was an employee he would be suspended and recommended he be terminated.